Bali Interesting Place and Beautiful Magical Of Island

Bali is famous for its culture and beautiful natural view. The culture is so unique and nowhere else to be found in the world. The view is dominated by beautiful rice field terraces, coconuts and rain forest as the main occupation of Balinese is farmer. The culture and the nature have a strong relation with Hindu, their religion. Everywhere you go, you may see many Hindu temples. And their life is also strongly related with and influenced by their religion. This is the reason why Bali is called the Island of God, the Island of Thousand Temples, and the Paradise Island. Below some interesting places in Bali Island; Map of Bali Island volcano and lake batur at kintamani Batur and Kintamani Batur and Kintamani virtually run together, it's impossble to tell where one ends and the other begins but the village of Batur used to be down in the crater. Batur had a violent in 1917 which killed thousands and destroyed over 60.000 homes and 2.000 temples. Although the village of Batur was wiped out of the lava flow stopped at the entrance to the villagers' temple. Taking this as a good omen they rebuilt their village only for Batur to erupt again in 1926 and this time the lava flow covered all but the loftiest temple shrine. besakih temple the mother temple of bali Besakih Temple Known as the "Mother Temple of Bali", the sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of Mt. Agung is the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples. Over a thousand years old, steps ascend through split gates to the main courtyard where the Trinity shrines are wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings. Around the three main temples dedicated to the Trinity: Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and caste groups. To the Balinese, a visit to the temples sanctuaries is a special pilgrimage. Each has its own anniversary celebration or "Odalan". The sight of the temple against the background of the mountain is impressive and during festivals, colored banners add a touch of gaiety. ulundanu temple at bedugul Bedugul The mountain resort of Bedugul, 18 km north of Denpasar, is known for its excellent golf course. Located beside Lake Bratan, it is surrounded by forested hills. A beautiful sight is the "Ulun Danu" temple which seems to rise out of the lake. The area offers good-walks. Boats, water skiing, and parasailing are available for hire. The Bali Handara country club has bungalows for rent and a restaurant. When the heat and humidity gets to you, why not escape to Bedugul, Bali's highland retreat tucked into the crater of an extinct volcano 1400 metres above sea level. Here three lakes provide everything from recreation to the water for springs, rivers and rice fields below. Lush pine forests seem to create a freshness in the air. Bedugul is known for the quality of its fruits , vegetables and flowers. holy spring water at tampak siring temple Tampak Siring The temple of Pura Tirta Empul is built around the sacred spring at Tampaksiring. Over 1000 years old, the temple and its two bathing places have been used by the people for good health and prosperity because of the spring water's curative powers. Regular ceremonies are held for purification. Specialties of the area are bone and ivory carvings, and seashell ornaments. puputan square strait Denpasar City The capital city of Bali, Denpasar has many community temples called "Pura". One is the Museum called Pura Jagatnatha which is dedicated to the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons (prevalent in all temples) signify the foundation of the world. The Museum offers a fine variety of prehistoric and modern art, whereas its architectural design resembles that of a palace. The government supervised "Sanggraha Kriya Asta" has a wide variety of handicraft and works of art. The "Werdi Budaya" presents a yearly art festival between June and July, with performances, exhibitions, art contest and so on. painting at museum neka Ubud Village The cultural image of Ubud is paramount to people as home to the best art museums in tte country, like Puri Lukisan, Neka Museum, ARMA (Agung Rai Museum & Art), etc. Ubud is an ideal place to see Balinese dance, Legong, Ramayana, Baris, Kecak and Sanghyang (the fire dance) are performed nightly in or aroud the Ubud area. Ubud gives you opportunity to see real Bali. It is a place for leisurely strolls through rice terraces, lush forests, breath-taking gorges and deserted swimming holes, all within walking distance from the center of Ubud. You must visit Monkey Forest - walk along Monkey Forest Road from Ubud, down into a dense forest where you will find a bunch of happy monkeys waiting for passing tourists. elephant cave temple at bedulu village Goa Gajah Temple The Elephant cave is carved in to rock face and reached by a flight of steps. It probably dates back to the 9-12th centuries and shows elements of both Hindu and Buddhist. You can enter the cave through the huge mouth of a demon. In front of the cave are two bathing pools with spring water gushing from spouts help by female figures. A kilometer from Goa Gajah is Yeh Pulu. After a short walk through rice terraces, you will arrive at an ancient rock carving dating from the 14th century. The carving depicts various scenes of everyday life and the figures of elephant-headed Ganesha indicating a close relationship between the two sites. uluwatu temple for see kecak and fire dance Uluwatu Temple South Bali on Bukit Badung. This cliff top temple, dedicated to the spirits of the sea, has spectacular views and is popular for viewing sunsets. The famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural marvel situated on headland at the western tip to the plateau. According to local tradition, the first Uluwatu temple was built in the 11th century, In the 16th century, it was rebuilt into its current state. The temple has some of the most exquisite architecture in Bali. The carvings made in the unusually hard coral stone have withstood time well. lovina beach beach fishing and black sand Lovina Tourists looking for a quiet beach resort can head 10 km west from Singaraja to Lovina, a long stretch of beach (with hotels and bungalows). The black sand beach is safe and a perfect place for the swimming and snorkeling. Lovina also offers dolphin viewing. It is the perfect base from which to explore northern Bali. bat cave temple at goa lawah Goa Lawah Temple Goa Lawah is the bat cave. This cave is crammed with thousands of bats which are unseen but certainly not unheard during the day. The cave is part of a temple that is said to lead all the way to Besakih but it's unlikely that anyone would be interested in investigating. bale kembang or floating pavilion at kerta gosa Kerta Gosa Kerta Gosa was used a venue for the administration of justice by kings and priests during pre-colonial times. It is surrounded by a moat and is decorated with beautiful paintings on its ceilings, which depict tortures in hell and bliss in heaven. The Bale Kembang (Floating Pavilion) stands behind the Kerta Gosa. Its painted ceilings depict the legend of the hero Sutasoma and his sacrifices, and of Pan and Men Brayut, known as the couple who had too many offspring. monkey at alas kedaton and sangeh village Sangeh Village Sangeh is the famous Monkey Forest, set in heart of the only primary forest in southern Bali. This forest consists entirely of pala (nutmeg) tree. The monkeys living here are considered sacred and hence used to make barong jalak putih at national park West Bali National Park West Bali National Park is situated in two regencies: Jembrana and Buleleng. The entrance on the Jembrana side of the park is at Melaya on the Denpasar - Gilimanuk road. Visit this place if you are looking for pristine tropical nature. The park is the last natural habitat of the endangered Jalak Putih, fewer than fifty are believed to be left in the wild, where they are threatened by poaching. The park also home to banteng and deer-like Menjangan. The National Park contains a broad rang of natural environments, from magrove coastal forests to savana and rainforest shelters. To enter Bali National Park one must go to the park office in Cekik. Accommodation is available in basic huts but you must bring your own bedding and untensils. barong and kris dance at batu bulan Batubulan Driving northeast from Denpasar, stone figures on the roadside mark the village of Batubulan. Divinities and demons are carved from sandstone for ornaments of houses and temples. Workshops can be visited to watch artists at work. Batubulan also is famous for Barong Dance which is performed daily here. The dance symbolizes the never-ending battle between good and evil. The Pura Puseh Batubulan, a beautiful temple, is also worth visiting while in Batubulan. kuta beach good for surfing and see the sunset Kuta Beach Once a lonely village on the road from Denpasar toward the Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now a thriving tourist resort, popular mainly among the young. It is a beach for surfing although currents make it less suitable for swimming. Coast guards, however, are on constant duty during the day. Kuta faces toward the west offering beautiful sunsets. Accommodation ranges from international hotels to home stays. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and other tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular performances of Balinese music and dance in Kuta, staged specially for tourists, than anywhere else in Bali. Some performances are staged nightly. The village is ideal for meeting and mixing with other people, locals as well as visitors from abroad. snorkling at menjangan island Menjangan Island This little island off Bali's west coast is known for its beautiful coral reefs found nearby and the wealth of tropical fish inhabiting the waters around it. The island itself including Terima Bay, are by themselves worth a visit because of the beautiful sceneries they offer. white sand at lembongan beach Nusa Lembongan Island Nusa Lembongan, a small island between Bali and Nusa Penida in the Badung Strait, is the perfect location for a holiday hideaway with few visitors and pristine unspoilt beaches. Overlooking Sanghiang Bay with its clear sapphire-blue waters, the Nusa Lembongan Resort offers a panoramic view of eastern Bali and the majestic silhouette of Mount Agung. nusa dua beach resort Nusa Dua The Nusa Dua tourist resort is part of the Bukit Peninsula in southern Bali. Some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels are found here. The resort is known for its clean white beaches and clear waters. The surf is gentle along the northern side of the peninsula, bigger along the south. The most convenient form of transportation to and from Nusa Dua is by taxi. legong dance at sanur while take dinner Peliatan Ubud Peliatan is located between Ubud and Mas. It has been known as the center of traditional music, and dances. The fine art of local woodcarvers started a new style of wood carving producing such things as fruits, flowers and trees in their real shapes and colorings. working silversmiths Celuk Village Celuk is center for Balinese goldsmiths and silversmiths. More 40 jewelry workshops are located along the road from Batubulan to Celuk. The jewelries are exported worldwide. sukawati art market Sukawati Sukawati is famous for its art market (Pasar Seni) and dalangs (puppeteers). Set in a two-floor building, the market sells everything from statues to dance costumes. Sukawati also is a centre for the manufacture of those noisy wind chimes you all over the island. wood carver at mas village Mas Village Mas is famous for woodcarving. Mas offers a myriad of wooden items. The main road of the town is lined with dozens of workshop. sunur beach black sand and good see sunrise Sanur Beach Sanur beach has long been a popular recreation site for people from Denpasar. The palm-lined beach curves from the Bali Beach Hotel toward the south, facing the Indian Ocean towards the east. Sanur offers many good hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities. It is only a short distance from Denpasar. Public transportation to and from the city are easily available until well into the night. Offshore reefs protect the beach against the waves to make it popular for wind surfing, boating and other water sports tanah lot temple located at tabanan bali Tanah Lot Temple The spectacularly placed temple of Tanah Lot is possibly the best-known and most photographed in Bali. It's almost certainly the most tourists the crowds here are phenomenal, the gauntlet of souvenir hawkers to be run is appalling and the commercial hype is terrible. Signs direct you to the best place for photographs and even where to catch the sunset. In fact sunset time has definite overtones of Australia's Ayers Rock with the faithful lined up, cameras at the ready, for the hallowed moment. Taman Ayun Temple Taman Ayun, literally transited means beautiful garden, and this temple, situated in the village of Mengwi, 18 Km west of Denpasar, is indeed one of Bali's most picturesque temple. It's stately proportioned courtyards and large surrounding moat were built in the year 1634 by the King of mengwi,I Gusti Agung Anom. Containing both the Royal Family ancestral Shrines and the strayed. MERU Shrines to the Major deities. Taman Ayun became the main temple for the ancient Kingdom of Mengwi, Every 210 days, on Tuesday Kliwon Medangsiya (according to the traditional Icaka Calendar), the entire local populace gathers at the temple to worship, celebrating the temple's anniversary. bajra sandhi monument located on puputan margarana square in niti mandala renon Bajra Sandhi Monument Bajra Sandhi Monument is the Balinese people struggle monument, which is shaped like ‘bajra’ (bell). It is located on Puputan Margarana Square in Niti Mandala Renon area. Main government offices are located nearby. Bali Museum Bali museum was built on 8 December 1932 and has a large collection of old items. Located on Major Wisnu Street , this museum consists of 4 buildings: Buleleng, Karangasem, Tabanan, and the East Building . art center consists of various building complexes Art Center (Werdhi Budaya ) Art Center consists of various building complexes. The main building, Mahudara Mandhara Giri Bhuwaana, was officially opened to the public on 14 February 1973, and is used for permanent art exhibitions. To the north of Mahudara Mandhara Giri Bhuwaana, there is Gedung Kriya Uccaihsrawa building where the Balinese and foreign fine arts exhibitions are held. To the west of Gedung Kriya Uccaihsrawa, there is Dewi Ratih building. During Bali Art Festival, this two-story building is used for architectural exhibition on the ground floor and photography exhibition on the second floor. The largest structure in Werdhi Budaya Art Center is Ardha Candra Amphitheater which covers 7,200 square meters. This enormous crescent shaped theater can hold up to 600 people. Ticketing offices and handicraft exhibition rooms are located underneath the stage. To the west of Ardha Candra Amphitheater is the two-story Ksirarnawa indoor theater which covers 5,850 square meters. The theater, which is located on the second floor, can hold up to 800 people. The first floor is occupied by Art Center offices, a cafeteria, and several halls which are used for handicraft exhibitions. white water rafting at ayung rafting Ayung River Ayung River is the longest as well as the largest river in Bali and well-known for its white water rafting. Besides the enjoyment of challenging rapids and its beautiful panorama, this virgin nature area is highlighted by the appearance of wild animals along the rafting route such as big bats, black monkeys, magpies and more. trunyan village located at cross of batur lake at kintamani Trunyan Village Trunyan Village is well-known for its Pancering Jagat Temple , but visitors are not allowed to enter. There are also a couple of traditional Bali Aga-style houses, and a large banyan tree which is said to be more than 1.100 years old. In Kuban Village , close to Trunyan Village , there is a mysterious cemetery, separated by the lake and is only accessible by boat. Unlike the Balinese people, Trunyan people do not cremate or bury the corpse, but just lay the corpse out in bamboo cages to decompose or under a huge Taru Menyan ( Menyan tree). Taru means ‘tree’ and Menyan means ‘aromatic smell’. The word 'Trunyan' is derived from these two words. The tree is believed to absorb the bad smells and instead, produce aromatic smells. Loads of skulls and bones lie on the stone platform and the surrounding areas. The women of Trunyan are forbidden to go to the cemetery when a corpse is carried there. It is said that there will be a disaster in the village if a woman comes to the cemetery while a corpse is being carried there. Pemecutan Palace Pemecutan Palace consists of a hotel with traditional style. There is also a set of traditional musical instruments (gamelan). Prasasti Blanjong (Blanjong Inscription) Prasasti Blanjong (Blanjong Inscription), a historical ancient artifact, is now preserved in Blanjong Temple , Banjar Blanjong, Sanur. The inscription, which shapes like a stone pillar, was made by the Buddhist king Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 914 AD. Discovered in 1932 by Dr. Gorris, a Ducth scholar, the inscription tells about the military expedition against eastern Indonesia . Dr. Gorris believed that the inscription as well as the remains of prehistoric sanctuaries founded along the coastal line proved an Indian colony settled the coast over 1,000 years ago. The inscription is 177 cm high and its diameter is 75 cm. Most of the writings are indecipherable, except at the top. The inscription was written in two kinds of letters: the Pre-Negari letters which used Ancient Balinese language, and the Old Javanese letters which used Sanskrit language. There were also a number of statues found in Blanjong area. Seminyak Seminyak Little by little Seminyak is coming into its own as an area to be reckoned with. The restaurant scene in Seminyak is vibrant and eclectic while the area's nightclubs have set the pace in Bali for some time now - this is where you go after you're done all you can in Kuta. Perhaps for this reason the area has become a magnet for designers, both local and international, and many small hotels and villas have been built in Seminyak dinner at jimbaran bay with seafood Jimbaran Bay On the western site of the Bukit ( hill), Bali 's southern Peninsula . lies the once sleepy fishing village of Jimbaran , now the site of Hotel Intercontinental, Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton. Take a walk along the pristine sand or dine at one of the beachside seafood restaurants. Perhaps a sunset drink - Jimbaran is known for its spectacular sunsets. An offshore reef offers protection from the wave action, providing excellent swimming water candidasa beach quiet for fishing Candidasa Beach Less than a km beyond the turn-off to Tenganan and about 13 km before Amplapura the road runs right down to the coast at Candidasa. It 1983 it was just a quiet little fishing village but two years later a dozen restaurants had sprung up and this was suddenly the new beach place in Bali. Fortunately it's still a quiet, relaxed little resort, this isn't Kuta. Beyond Candidasa the road spirals up to the Pura Gamang pass from where there are fine views down to the coast. Tenganan Village. Tenganan is a Bali Aga village, a centre of original Balinese prior to the Majapahit arrival. Unlike that other well knows Bali Aga centre, Trunyan, this is a friendly place and also much more interesting. Tengganan is walled village and consists basically of two rows of identical houses stretching up the gentle slope of the hill. They face each other across a grassy central area where the village public buildings are located. The Bali Aga are reputed to be exceptionally conservative and resistant to change but even here the modern age has not been totally held at bay. A small forest of television aerials sprout from those oh-so traditional houses! The most striking feature of Tenganan, however, is its exceptional neatness – it all looks spick and span and neat as can be and the hills behind provide a beautiful backdrop. The Grand Palace (Puri Agung Karangasem) The palace, Puri Agung Karangasem, is an imposing reminder of Karangasem’s period as a kingdom although it actually dates from the 20 th century. Take a look at the three-tiered gate and the beautiful sculptured panels on the outside of the main Building, which known as the Bale London because of the British Royal Crest on the furniture. Because Karangasem cooperated with Dutch during their take-over of the island the rajah of Karangasem was able to retain his old power, at least for a while. gunung kawi temple located at tampak siring village Gunung Kawi Temple The small town Tampaksiring a sign points off the road to the right to Gunung Kawi. From the end of the access road a steep stone stairway leads down to the river, at one point making a cutting through an embankment of solid rock. There, in the bottom of this lush green valley with beautiful rice terrace climbing up the hillsides, is one in Bali's oldest, and certainly largest, ancient monuments. Gunung Kawi consist of 10 rock-cut Candis, memorials cut out of the rock face in imitation of normally constructed monument - in a similar fashion to the great rock-cut temples of Ajanta and Ellora in India. The Candis are believed to be memorials to members of the Balinese royalty of the 11th century but little is known for certain. The Candis stand in seven-meters-high sheltered niches cut into the sheer rock cliff faces. There are four on the west side of the river, which you come to first. You cross the on a bridge to a further group of five on the east side. A solitary Candi stands further down the valley to the south, reached by a trek through the rice paddies. Legends relate the whole groups of memorials were carved out of the rock faces in one hard working night by the mighty fingernails of Kebo Iwa. Each of the sets of memorial has a group of monk's cells associated with it, includingone on the east side with the only 'no shoes, sandals, boots may be worn' sign I've ever seen in Bali. There are other similar groups of Candis and monk's cells within the area ancient Kingdom of Pejeng-but none of them so grand or on so large a scale. tegalalang village with terrace rice field Tegalalang village Tegalalang village is famous with rice terrace, but now on the way go to tegalalang village both side of the road you find many shops with selling woodcarving. The first example of Balinese landscape is the rice-field. This is a typical scene in Bali. The terraced rice-field is typical of the beauty of the Balinese countryside. Note the harmony of colors, the vivid green of the coconut groves and the pale blue of the sky. Wet rice agriculture (sawah) is the basic and most important activity of Balinese life; Rice is the major crop and the staple food. The Balinese make maximum use of what the environment offers. The terraced fields extend for miles, up and down the hill, from mountains to the sea. Cows are a very important part of traditional rice farming. They are used for plowing and producing fertilizer. The Cow pulls a heavy wooden bar across the field, in the initial preparative of the soil, to flatten it into a smooth mud. The Cow does not work all day and are well cared for. During the growth period of the rice, the fields are periodic flooded. The Subak or irrigation cooperatives, regulate the allow of water and maintenance of irrigation networks. The water from single dam may be divided into douses and even hundreds of channel to irrigate the terraced Sawah, note how many-terraced field are served by this one particular manual serves. Serangan Island Between the Sheltered lagoon of Sanur and the tiny port of Benoa is a small island where turtles are "Farmed" in under water corrals. Local outrigger sailing canoes can be hired from Sanur for an hour's scenic sailing down the coast, or motorized canoes provide a shuttle service at high tide from a small salt-making village just off the by-pass before Benoa. Once years, at "Manis Kuningan" (is festivity that happens 10 days after "Galungan" the most important festivityof the Balinese Religion) during the temple festivity at Pura sakenan, the island comes alive, as people from all over Bali flock to make their devotion. An entire food market sets up outside the temple to cater for the crowd, and boatloads of people in brocades and lace bearing baskets of offering flood into the beach. The Barong Landung giant puppets generally perform in the evening, as the crowds return to the mainland in haste to beat the receding tide. The southern ti of serangan if favored spot skin and scuba diving. At the village a small craft industry has developed using turtle shell product, shell, and primitive carving. monkey at alas kedaton Alas Kedaton Alas Kedaton, often know as Pura Dalem Kahyangan is situated South of Menalun near Marga. It is easy to find this temple, only about 15 km from Denpasar , the Alas Kedaton temple related to two different historic periods, one part having been erected during the megalithic period and the other part was added after the Hindhu Balinese religion was adopted. Certain magic objects can be found in this temple dating back to its megalithic period, and there are arrangements of nine stone as well as primitive stone carving. A variety of post Hindhu symbols can be noted the lingam in the Dalem Khayangan shrine, and carving of Durga and Ganesa, within the Dalem Kedaton shrine. Durga the Goddess of Death is depicted riding a bull, with eight hands wielding weapons. The right hand, hold a fan and arrow, a large knife, and the bull’s tail. The left hands from upon to lower, hold a club, a bow, a trident and a cudgel. Ganesa within four hands is seated on a cushion and two dragons. The right hands hold a rosary, and tusks. The left hands an axe and the end of the trunk. One an interesting aspect of Ganese is it’s piatform snakes which are possibly Candra Sangkala and Dewi Naga Tunggal, dating back to the period between 1640 and 1740. Based upon the style of these carvings can be estimated that they date back approximately 300 years, to the final year of the Majapahit Kingdom or the beginning at Bali’s Rajadoms of Samprangan Gelgel, Klungkung and Mengwi. From the large collection of relics within Pura Alas Kedaton, however it is obvious that the temple is even older than this, as the megalithic period was long before Hinduism came to Bali. In this temple you also find many sacred monkey. | Bali Transports Service | Bali Hotel Transfer | Airport Transfer | Sightseeing Tours | Private Car Rental Kereta Sewa | Bali Charter Bus | Private Mini Van | Golf Tours | Bali Round Trips | Home | Contact Us | Links Partner : Asia, Australia, America, Europe, Africa, Worldwide | About Us | Testimonial Copyright © by balitransports.com - Best rate for Bali car rental services

Botanic Gardens – The Beautiful Nature of Bogor

Botanical Gardens Bogor or called as Kebun Raya Bogor by the locals is located at the central of the Bogor City. This garden was officially opened in 1917 as the National Botanical Garden and used for research and develop plants from other parts of Indonesia. Until now, it is still a major research center and part of the Indonesian Institute of Science. Bogor Botanical Gardens contributes a lot in environmental education, science and protection of the natural. Botanical Gardens consist of tropical flora for more than 20,000 species of trees and plants, including rare orchids and giant rafflesia. It is Indonesia’s first botanical garden with very huge location. This garden attracts many schools, local residences, visitors from Jakarta, as well as tourist who pass by. The garden is such beautiful place to relax. You will definitely amaze with its huge and tall trees. Here you can stroll around and for those who interested in trees, you can find the information of all the trees just right in front of it. Besides, many families having picnic here during the holiday as it is the best place to escape from your busy life and feel the wind of nature. The grounds of this Botanical Garden are contiguous to a luxurious palace of the Indonesian president. In its garden places a hundred of free deers and from the outside of the gate, publics can see the deers walking around in the garden. Souerce: Copyright © 2009 Tours Destination. All Rights Reserved.

Sail Indonesia - Next year, turn to Wakatobi

Wakatobi, South East Sulawesi , deserves to host 2011 Sail Indonesia because it has experience and marine natural resources that promise. "Since 2009 Wakatobi has become a regional tourist destination cruises users so that their society was well known and familiar," said Deputy Chairman of Parliament Muh Endang in Kendari in Southeast Sulawesi, Monday (02/08/2010). Vision and mission of the government and people of Wakatobi in order to optimize the development of sea tourism sector should be supported because it has a charm of coral reefs and marine life best. Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Government has a letter ready to host the 2011 Sail Indonesia to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KP). "Our government and people of Wakatobi ready to host the 2011 Sail Indonesia, especially activities that have the full support of Governor tailor," said Regent Wakatobi Hugua on separate occasions. If the Ministry for KPs approved the proposal of Governor Sultra Wakatobi will enliven the community of international activities with various local communities' traditional cultural attractions. Various traditional cultural attractions are the traditions of Bangka-mbunga Mbungka Kabuenga and traditions. Bangka-mbunga Mbungka tradition is a tradition melarung Bajo public offerings in the sea. Through the appearance of such traditions Hugua said, people ask the authorities Bajo sea to be given sustenance in abundance and keep the fishermen from the dangers of storm waves. The core of this ritual tradition, the community appealed to the natural ruler of the sea in order given the ease in making a living and keep them away from dangerous storm waves. Implementation of this ritual followed by thousands of fishing boats, he said. While tradition is a tradition Kabuenga or swing Wakatobi young people in finding a soul mate. In Kabuenga ritual, a young couple seated on a swing and rocked the place of customary holders. Typically, shortly after sitting in Buenga, a girl or boy to find a mate and get married immediately. The proof, film director Hanung Bramantio and Zaskiah Mecca Kabuenga married after sitting on Wakatobi Cultural Festival in August of 2009, said Hugua. He added, Wakatobi is very feasible to host the Sail Indonesia because the region has an area of coral reef area of 1.3 million hectares that could be a diving area. The region has been designated as the Wakatobi National Marine Park since 1996. Wakatobi sea waters with beautiful coral reef right in the center of the triangle reef (coral triangle) of the world. With as many coral species diversity terumbung 750 species or about 80 percent of all coral species of the world, then dive in the waters of the sea real Wakatobi already conquered the world's coral reefs. Source : Copyright © 2005 - 2011 Indonesia Travel Online.

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Indonesia Indonesia Homepage | Indonesia's History Asia Homepage | The World Sumatra Indonesia's largest and least developed province, Sumatra rests along the equator, heavily forested and rich in rare wildlife. The island's slow development has made it ideal for eco-tourism, and numerous large reserves and preservation areas have been set aside. Its most famous park, Mount Leuser National Park, is one of the last refuges of the Sumatra Orang-Utan. Another distinguished park is the Berbak Wildlife Reserve, which has one of Indonesia's largest tiger populations. In the far north of the island is Lake Toba, an enormous and extraordinarily beautiful crater lake. A particularly enthralling adventure experience in Sumatra takes place on the Alas River, which winds its across North Sumatra through jungle, limestone gorges, and native villages. The voyage begins in the Karo Highlands and culminates with the Indian Ocean: a descent ten times that of the Grand Canyon's Colorado River. Bali Bali is an island where art and religion mingle in the daily lives of people in a way unlike anywhere else on earth. Its culture overflows from its temples and into the streets, where artisans of every kind continue traditional methods of handicraft that have been passed down for generations. This cultural concentration in Bali can be traced back to the 14th century, when Islam expanded in force across the nearby island of Java, pushing the Hindu Majapahit court across the water to Bali and effectively making it an isolated haven for Indonesian Hinduism. The most famous of the many Balinese cultural traditions are its poetic and ornate dances, which employ a graceful and highly-sophisticated gestural language to narrate traditional stories and legends. Bali's natural beauty is as startling as its cultural riches. Bali Barat National Park, which dominates the entire west end of the island, is home to one of the world's rarest and most beautiful birds. The beaches of Bali are world famous. Many are ideal for surfing, and plenty of offshore reefs create good scuba diving environments. Sulawesi With four huge peninsulas stretching out haphazardly into the South Pacific, Sulawesi's infamous shape has often been compared to that of a spider or an amoeba. The island lies just east of Kalimantan and north of Bali. The island is divided into two regions, north and south, with its key city, Unjung Padang, situated on the island's southwestern leg. North Sulawesi and its [link]Bunaken Marine Park[link] is best known as Indonesia's mecca for divers and snorklers, while South Sulawesi harbors two of the country's most interesting cultures. In the far south, in and around Ujang Padang, are the Bugi people, long reknowned for their seafaring skills. Evidence of their influence has been found as far as Australia, where they had contact with the Aborigines. When the Portugeuse, British, Spanish, and Dutch came, the daring Bugis would often attack the huge colonial vessels on the open sea. South Sulawesi is also home to the Toraja people, who live in a picturesque, mountainous region called Tana Toraja, or Toraja Land. At the center of Toraja culture is a fascinating and complex belief system surrounding death and the afterlife. Death is an elaborate affair, and the prolonged funerals are a major interest to visitors, who can attend the ceremonies but should show the same respect that they would for their own. The funerals typically involve feasting, buffalo sacrifice, dancing and martial arts, culminating with a procession that carries the coffin to its final resting place in one of the many caves on the surrounding cliffs, which are guarded by rock statues. The Toraja's are equally famous for their houses, which are called Tongkonan, or Family Houses. The houses are built on stilts, and each end rises like the horns of a buffalo, with the points always facing north and south. Java The central link in the archepelagic chain that begins with Sumatra and ends with the scattering of small islands east of Bali, Java is often referred to as the heart of Indonesia. It is the historical center of Bhuddhist and Hindu culture and home to the nation's sprawling capital city, [link]Jakarta[link]. Java's three main regions are simply East, Central, and West Java, and the island's many roads and public transports make it easy to navigate. Though Jakarta is the most visited destination in the west, there are also major natural attractions, such as [link]Mount Gede-Pangrango National Park[link]. In Central Java, the seat of major dynasties throughout Indonesian history, are the cultural wonders of the [link]Prambanan temple complex[link] and the magnificent [link]Borobudur Temple[link]. Central Java is also the home of Indonesia's famous shadow puppet dances, or wayang kulit, and the craftwork center of [link]Yogyakarta[link]Finally, there is East Java, where travellers encounter some of the Indonesia's most extraordinary national parks, including the wildly spectacular [link]Bromo-Tengger[link]. Borobudur Temple When scholars and historians speak of the world's great Buddhist temples, no conversation is complete without the word Borobudur. This monumental structure, constructed in 9th century A.D., dominates an entire hill in Central Java, and it is one Bali's national treasures. The temple is most famous for its many stone-carved panels depicting the life and teachings of Buddha. The narratives, over a thousand in all, are part of the temple itself, helping to form the terraces that support the temple's chambers. Interestingly, Borobudur was lost to the world for many years. The temple was ultimately abandoned with the rise of Islam, and the halls that once echoed with the pilgrim footsteps of scholars, artists, and priests were silently overun by nature. In 1814, the temple was rediscovered, and later it was comepletely restored with the help of the United States. Kalimantan The Indonesian province of Kalimantan occupies the greater part of the exotic island of Borneo, where the world's most dense and remote rainforests can be found. The island is famous for its rich concentration of wildlife, and it is equally notorious for its legendary headhunters. Indonesia's second largest province, Kalimantan has become a source of substantial natural wealth for the country. Its extensive oil reserves are now a key part of Indonesia's economy, and diamonds, rare woods, rattan, and resin are also harvested here. There are parts of Kalimantan that to this day remain unexplored. Eighty percent of Central Kalimantan (the largest sub-region) is thick jungle that often clings to treacherous mountain slopes, hiding valleys that remain utterly inaccessible. Although only the most hardcore and experienced adventurers should consider a foray into these regions, Kalimantan has plenty of less formidable forests open to visitors. Kalimantan is also home to one of Indonesia's most interesting indigenous cultures--the Dyak. Although they no longer practice headhunting, the Dyak continue to live much as they have for the last millenium, occupying enormous communal longhouses which serve as the residence for large family groups. An ideal way to tour Kalimantan is by riverboat on the Mahakam River, where one can also spot the world's only species of freshwater dolphin. Orang-utan live in the surrounding jungles, and special tours for the purpose of viewing the animals up close are available. Komodo National Park The main attraction of this park is the legendary Komodo Dragon, a gigantic reptile found nowhere else. The oldest, largest, and one of the rarest reptiles, the Komodo is a gigantic Monitor lizard that grows to lengths of more than three meters. It scavenges and hunts, using its powerful club of a tail to tackle large prey. The island of Komodo, along with those surrounding it, is dry and barren, with rainfall occurring only between November and March. It lies about 500 km east of Bali, a location that places it between the Asian and Australian bio-geographical zones and makes the island an interesting crossroads for species. Birds from both zones can be found on the island, such as the Noisy Friar Birds of Australia and the Monarch Flycatchers of Asia. Bromo-Tengger National Park Long before there was a nation called Indonesia, there was Bromo-Tengger. This mystic, volcanic region was set aside by Hindus as a sacred place, and to this day thousands make a yearly pilgrimage to the park to honor Mount Semeru, which they consider to be a god. The landscape of Bromo-Tengger is indeed heavenly. The park is situated around a group of forest encrusted volcanoes that rise up thousands of feet like gigantic, terrestrial limpets. At 3,676 meters, Semeru is Java's highest mountain, and it is still active, erupting once every eight minutes. Though Semeru is the highest mountain, no less astounding is Bromo. Mount Bromo rests in what is known as the sand sea, a vast, empty expanse of sand 10 kilometers wide that is surrounded by interior slopes of another volcano that became extinct long ago. Bromo is also active, but visitors can trek to the mountain on foot or horseback and climb to the edge of its caldera and experience the spacial wonder of the sand sea below. Bunaken Marine Park The reefs of Bunaken Marine Park have been compared in richness to that of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, which is visible from outer space and is the largest concentration of life on the planet. At Bunaken, nearly 900 square kilometers of prime marine habitat have been set aside solely for the enjoyment of the diver, the snorkeler, and the researcher. On a single dive in Bunaken, the visitor is sometimes greeted by a dazzling palette of nearly 50 species of coral. Barrier reefs, mangrove reefs, and wall dives are all found here, and the visibility in Bunaken's gentle currents generally exceeds 10 meters. In addition to coral life, an abundance of fish and mammal species thrive here as well: seahorses, three species of turtle, rays, and sea snails. Also found here are the enormous, bottom-grazing Dugongs, marine mammals that are closely related to the manatee (and distantly related, like the manatee, to elephants). The whale shark, the world's largest (and completely harmless) fish, occasionally makes his royal appearance. The island of Manado Tua provides a particularly vivid dive locale: a crater lake within an extinct volcano. Bali Barat National Park Occupying much of the western extremity of Bali, the Bali Barat National Park is one of Indonesia's best bird watching locales. The park's rarest bird is the gorgeous Bali Starling, with its brilliant silver-white feathers and striking lapis eye markings. A victim of rampant poaching since the turn of the century, the starling now clings to the threads of existence in the wild. In 1989, about 30 individuals were tallied in the park, compared to over 700 in captivity across the globe. Despite the starling's rarity, the Bali Barat is rich in over 160 other species. Yellow-vented Bulbul's are everywhere, as well as White-bellied Swiftlets, Sacred and Javan Kingfishers, and Drongos. On the north coast is a colony of Silvered Leaf Monkeys, and Pulua Menjangan, or Deer Island, offers a rich variety of marine life for snorkelers and divers. Dolphin watching is also a highlight of Bali, as large, playful schools thrive off the north coast. There are a number of good guided treks through Bali Barat's jungles, though because of the starling's fragile existence no trekking is permitted on the Prapat peninsula and Menjangan island. Mount Leuser National Park Mount Leuser National Park is most distinguished as the home of the Orang-utan, a highly endangered and extremely intelligent primate. The park has two distinct Orang-utan reserves within its boundaries, Bohorok and Ketambe, both of which serve to rehabilitate animals back into the wild after they have lived in captivity. Orang-utans are not the only interesting mammals to grace Mount Leuser National Park. Its whopping 10,000 square kilometers also provide protected habitat for the Sumatran Rhino, along with elephant and tiger. Overall, one can see 320 species of bird, 176 kinds of mammals, 194 reptile species, and 52 species of amphibian. Plant life is even more diverse: over one half all plant species on Sumatra can be found in the forests of Mount Leuser. Berbak Wildlife Reserve Dominating one-fifth of Sumatra's east coast is the Berbak Wildlife Reserve, a dense, swampy refuge on the edge of the Melaka strait. The reserve contains Indonesia's largest peat forest, a unique environment caused by an excess accumulation of organic matter on the forest floor. Due to acidic soil, trees here rarely grow past 40 meters, allowing a substantial amount of light to pierce the canopy. When heavy rains flood vast areas of Berbak, its animals will often concentrate at higher elevations, often in inaccessible areas. The best time to come, therefore, is during the dry season from June to October. The reserve's most famous and common resident is the tiger, whose deep, thick roars are often heard in the distance. There are also a good amount of birds here ---over 240 species, as well as crocodile's and turtles. Jakarta Huge, international, and a cultural hub, Jakarta has long been a meeting place of cultures. At various times throughout history, it has been ruled by Hindus, Muslims, Portugeuse, Dutch and Japanese. It is the gateway to Indonesia and holds the special status of a provice, similar to Mexico City or Washington, D.C. So many cultures have passed through Jakarta, that it is no surprise that some of them would leave a few things behind, especially the Dutch. Consequently, no place in the world has a finer collection of old sailing ships. The ships can be found in an area known as Sunda Kelapa, the old Dutch port. In addition to a variety of well-preserved colonial vessels, there are also splendid examples of native Buginese ships. Lake Toba Lake Toba is the largest crater lake in the world. Its surface area measures 1707 square kilometers, so large that the island sitting in its center, Samosir, has numerous towns and villages and even a lake of its own. Surrounding the lake, which sits at an altitude of 800 meters, is a ethereal ring of bright, rust-colored mountains. The central island of Samosir is home to the Batak people, a unique society known for its graceful hospitality. The Batak love music, especially love songs, and singing plays an unusually large role in the culture. The island offers many fine walking trails and three peaks of over 1000 meters that look out over the emerald waters of Lake Toba. Africa | Asia | Caribbean | Europe | Latin America Source : Geographia Home This page, and all contents of this Web site are Copyright (c) 1997-2008 by InterKnowledge Corp. All rights reserved.

triptourism.com

Kali Pancur Waterfall in Semarang Tourism A mountainous landscape complete with waterfalls will surely attract everyone. One of the charms of nature with extraordinary natural scenery in Indonesia is Pancur Kali waterfall located in the village of Nogosaren, Getasan sub-district, Semarang regency. Almost along the stairs, amounting to less than 850 steps, you will be accompanied by the sound of gurgling water flowing mountain next to the stairs. While the view from the bottom of the waterfall can make people chuckle in awe with its beauty. How not Pancur Kali waterfall is located right on the cliff more than 150 meters. I’m sure adults will appear smaller than this cliff. In addition to relief decorated with natural stones and a number of pioneer vegetation, rock waterfalls are also filled with small caves for shelter swallow. Source : Copyright 2011 © News Trip Tourism Vacation Holiday Site Meter

detik.com

Sunset Is Always Beautiful Here, Pangandaran Beach Kecamatan Pangandaran terletak di Kabupaten Ciamis, Jawa Barat. kurang lebih bisa ditempuh dalam waktu 5 sampai 6 jam dari Bandung. Sebagai Kawasan wisata, Pangandaran bisa dibilang sebagai tujuan liburan yang cukup menarik, karena bukan hanya pantai saja yang bisa dinikmati, melainkan terdapat juga air terjun, pesawahan, sungai-sungai, dan lain sebagainya. Sebagai pantai selatan, Pangandaran yang berupa teluk memiliki keunikan, yaitu kita bisa menikmati sunset dan sunrise di jarak yang cukup dekat antara pantai barat dan timur. Sunset selalu merupakan pemandangan yang menakjubkan dan dapat menghipnotis orang yang melihatnya, suana tenang, damai, penuh warna, takjub terhadap keindahan alam ini. Jika cuaca bagus, kita bisa menikmati pemandangan dan moment yang sangat indah di Pantai Pangandaran, berikut ini beberapa foto yang saya buat tentang indahnya sunset di sana, akan jauh lebih indah jika dilihat dengan mata kepala sendiri. Selamat menikmati. Souerce : © Copyright 2011 detikTravel. Published by detikcom

dieng.yogyes.com

TELAGA WARNA (the Colorful Lake) - Beautiful Twin Lakes Dieng has an extraordinary natural and cultural wealth. One of the icons is Telaga Warna (the Colorful Lake), a beautiful lake with natural forest around it. TELAGA WARNA Desa Dieng Wetan, Kecamatan Kejajar, Kabupaten Wonosobo TELAGA WARNA (the Colorful Lake) - Beautiful Twin Lakes Hidden among the rows of hills at an altitude of more than 2000 meters above sea level does not make Telaga Warna (the Colorful Lake) lack of visitors. Its beauty and mystery always attract anyone who visits Dieng. Entering through the main gate, YogYES was greeted by a path that has been slicked up by the paving blocks with dense forest on either side. Culminate in a T-junction, Color Lake outspread ahead. Greenish water looked calm, no ripples at all. The sound of the wild birds chirped and the thick forest which is wild maintained present a reassuring atmosphere of peace. Followed a road that branched off to the right, YogYES found another intersection. Paving road towards Semar Cave and a muddy trail. Driven by a curiosity, we took a dirt road trail straight ahead. Jumped on the slippery ground formed by the rain on the previous night, we fought hard to avoid the mudded ground. And suddenly a broad meadow emerged, reminiscent to the movie Little House on the Prairie. Although we were a little in doubt, we kept on walking. Voila, suddenly another lake appeared in front of us. The water was very clear that reflected whatever image was on top of it. Well, it felt like in a different place. Paving road was somewhere out there, meadow was on the other side, and tall trees were all around. Although we were fascinated by the beauty of this crystal clear lake, but the desire to explore Telaga Warna finally brought YogYES back to the first lake. This time the exploration carried out by following the road that leads to the left. In some places the surface seemed bubbly and pulled out the small bubbles. It caused by the sulfur that contained in the water. Unfortunately, as far as we could see, the entire surface was remained green without a touch of other colors. Apparently there is a trick to enjoy the beauty of this lake. At the back door, there is a trail uphill towards one of the hills that enclose the lake. This dirt road is very narrow, just enough to pass one person. The climb is not so steep, but slippery enough considering Dieng area frequently hit by rain. After a few hundred meters climbing, we reached the top of the hill which surrounded by the views that would make anyone spellbound. Down below, outspread a beautiful lake surrounded by thick forest with beautiful purple color of water on the edge, shaded in green in towards the middle, and pale green in the center of the lake. On the other side, a narrow meadow separated it from another lake called Telaga Pengilon or lake which reflected like a mirror. Further ahead, Mountain Prau and Mountain Pakuwaja rows in circle, formed as if to protect these two beautiful lakes from anyone who wants to damage it. Opening Hours Monday to Sunday: 06.00 a.m. to 18.00 p.m. Ticketing Domestict visitor: IDR 5,000 Foreign visitor: IDR 9,000 Source : Copyright © 2011 YogYES.COM. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission Griya Wirokerten Indah No. 249, Kotagede Yogyakarta | +62 856 2 964937 (+62 856-2-YOGYES)